By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
The Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center (RGPAC) has seized the opportunity to offer local residents another big name in entertainment! The Gatlin Brothers will take the stage on Friday, August 23rd at 7:30 p.m. Tickets went on sale Friday, March 1st and this show is expected to be another sellout.
RGPAC Executive Director Ryan Tolley noted that the appearance of classic country artists has gathered a great response in the local area and that they have received requests for gospel music as well, so an invitation to The Gatlin Brothers seemed like an appropriate direction to follow.
The Gatlin Brothers (Larry, Steve & Rudy) are a Grammy Award-winning trio who have dazzled audiences for more than 60 years with a lifetime of noteworthy achievements in their storybook career, including a Grammy for Best Country Song, three ACM awards for Single of the Year, and Album of the Year. Brother Larry Gatlin was also named Male Vocalist of the Year.
They have accumulated seven #1 Singles, 32 Top 40 Records, 22 Studio Albums and five “Million-Air” Awards. Larry Gatlin ranks 4th as a solo writer with the most self-penned top 40 Billboard Hits. A number of his songs have been recorded by top entertainers such as Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Mathis and many others.
RGPAC Sales and Marketing Manager Emily Moore said that RGPAC executives are certain the Gatlin Brothers will be well received – particularly after such a quick and successful ticket response for the Oak Ridge Boys concert.
“We have been working with Big Time Entertainment promoter Dustin Knowlton; he helped us make arrangements for The Gatlin Brothers, and he also helped to facilitate this month’s Oak Ridge Boys concert as well,” Moore said. “We are always looking for additional programming and we’ll very likely be working with Knowlton more in the future.”
Knowlton said that although his business is headquartered in Ohio, he travels a lot to Nashville and works mostly with traditional country artists who are established in the industry.
“I’ve heard a lot about his newly restored facility, the supportive audiences it gathers and the cooperative staff,” he stated. “I will be coming to Clarksburg the day before the Oak Ridge Boys arrive to check everything out. I’m really looking forward to it and am excited to meet everyone and tour this historic structure.”
He said he thinks the audience will enjoy the ‘special opener’ Tom Tippin who will appear prior to the Oak Ridge Boys taking the stage and will return to open for The Gatlin Brothers as well.
“Tom is the son of country music star Aaron Tippin, and I look for him to have a big career ahead of him,” Knowlton added.
Moore reported at the end of last week that there were approximately 150 tickets still available for the Oak Ridge Boys concert coming up on Saturday, March 23rd. That availability is for the matinee concert at 3 p.m. only; their 7:30 p.m. concert that same evening is sold out.
There are three tiers of ticket prices for The Gatlin Brothers appearance in August – both on the main floor and in the balcony; ticket prices are $48.50, $63.50, and $78.50.
“We’re doing well with both our online ticket sales as well as sales through our Call Center,” Moore concluded. “Having tickets available both ways satisfies both our patrons who are accustomed to making online purchases and those who do not have that access.”
For online tickets, visit https://tickets.the robinsongrand.com or contact the Call Center at 855-773-6283 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.
